siganaich | as in a calf suckling its mother to its last drop of milk. “Shiganaich e a mhàthair.” |
cirain | a call to attract a ram’s attention. This word is repeated a number of times. |
croisain | the crook of a stick. |
sùdan | long roots submerged in soil, especially arid land. Made it difficult to plough such land. [Cf. táithean.] |
táithean | similarly [cf. sùdan] submerged roots in wet, soggy land. Red in colour. |
siollt | goosander. |
stearnain | little tern. |
gobhachan | minute bird often seen on lochs. |
ròcais | rook. |
obair is ath obair | double the work. |
furrachal | to be attentive. As in a child willing himself to stay awake in case he misses anything. |
[taighm] | “Chan eil taighm aige.” – applied to a person who speaks before he thinks or does something without considering the consequences. |
Di-Domhnuich Tùrnais | instead of ‘Di-Domhnuich Phailm’ – Palm Sunday. Eggs used to be exchanged on this day and not on Easter Sunday as it is done nowadays. |
gath tìte | a double rope tied to the saddle. |
meilleag | a rope tied around a horse’s lower jaw. |
stròinein | a strap across the nose of a horse. |
ràbhad bruidhinn | senseless talk. |
tuiniocill | a waltzing, duck-like walking action. |
stiùbach | applied to a large, untidy woman. |
claise | trench in a byre. |
[sgiallt] | Dè bu sgiallt – an expression meaning what was the cause, reason. |
buicadaich | jumping up and down. |
seid de chabhlaich | a bed of straw used by dogs and cattle. |
sodalan | applied to a two-faced person. |
stailleard | a metal weighing machine which is suspended from the rafters. |
fiannach | long, white grass found on moorland in soft, boggy land. Used as horse feed during bad weather when other foodstuffs were scarce. |
ciochan na mnathan sìthe | pinky, red coloured flowers found in moorland. Considered unlucky if brought home. |
eilabhag | a ring in a horse’s bit. |
sgòrnaich | violent coughing attempting to bring up bile that has gathered in the linings of your throat. |
boidhl | bile. |
[seafainn] | “Bheir mi as do sheafainn thu.” – getting someone to do something against his/her will. |
sgeilabhag | a small portion, morsel. “Bheir dhomh sgeilabhag bheag dh’en [sic] bhonnach sin.” |
cronachadh | forbidden. “Tha sin air a chronachadh dhut.” |
[boigh] | A’ cuir nam boigh dhiubh fhein – having a good time whilst making a lot of noise. |
coimheasbadh | bickering. |